Premier League sponsorship rules ‘void’ says tribunal

The Premier League’s rules governing sponsorship deals from the period between 2021 and 2024 are “void and unenforceable”, a tribunal has ruled.

Last year, an independent arbitration panel found against aspects of the league’s Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs) after a lawsuit instigated by Manchester City.

The rules were formed by the Premier League to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed above “fair market value”.

In November, the Premier League voted through amendments to the rules despite opposition from Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, as well as City.

Friday’s ruling is not in judgement of the November amendments which still stand but are the subject of a legal challenge.

The conclusion of the tribunal reads: “In the first partial final award it was declared that the APT rules and amended APT rules were unlawful in three respects.

“There now arises for decision the question whether those three respects can be severed from the remaining APT rules so that those remaining APT rules are valid and enforceable.

“The three respects in which the APT rules and amended APT rules were unlawful cannot be severed with the result that the APT rules as a whole are void and unenforceable.”